She wasthe Director ofExternal Affairs at the California Exposition and State Fair in Sacramento from 2013 to 2015 and was Deputy Appointments Secretary in the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. from 2011 to 2013. And that was not its intention. Was it the personality differences? Find out more about how we use your personal data in our privacy policy and cookie policy. State Sen. Susan Eggman, a Stockton Democrat and one of the authors of SB 1338, said she would modify the bill to address certain concerns before then, but on some issues, were just going to have to agree to disagree., It is a work in progress, she said. After announcing the broad framework of his CARE Court plan, the real work begins for Gov. Before that, she was a Legislative Assistant at The Crane Group and a Research Assistant for the British ParliamentaryLabourParty. Put that in context how big a deal is that in a state that for decades has struggled to build enough housing? Jason Elliott, Newsom's deputy chief of staff, said the governor's "hope and expectation is that this will be going out in short order." However, he added that the ball was in the court of . CARE Court is meant to target the 10,000 to 12,000 people dealing with schizophrenia and psychosis who may qualify for the program, said Jason Elliott, a senior counselor to Newsom. We believe the answer is yes, and we are in the process now of doing some program evaluation to be able to back that up with data. A governors signature does not build new units, he said. Gavin Newsom Age: 37 Born: New York City, but grew up in Palo Alto Current home: Sacramento Family: Lives with his wife and their 15-month-old. His grandfather was in the State Department. She also served as a legislative assistant in the Office of State Senator Mark Leno, and as acapital fellow in the Office of State Senator Denise MorenoDucheny. Q: Has Project Roomkey achieved everything you hoped it would? Our message to LA and the Bay Area and to everyone is: Project Roomkey is here and funded at least through September of this year, with 100% of the cost borne by the federal government. Gavin Newsom's adviser on housing and homelessness, said that while the state can build housing for homeless people and the very poor, the private sector is essential to easing the statewide housing shortage. The second program,Homekey, created 6,000 units of long-term homeless housing in less than six months, by giving cities and counties the money to purchase hotels and other buildings, and expediting the permitting process. We want to move, and we want to move quickly, Newsom said during a recent interview on KQED. . You can change your choices at any time by clicking on the 'Privacy dashboard' links on our sites and apps. One example: a 2013 law designed toincrease infill developmentin green zones, which Elliott said could potentially allow for millions of housing units to be built. We have lost people back to the streets out of Project Roomkey. On the eviction moratorium, Wicks said she was working closely with Assemblymember David Chius office to make sure tenants are protected but landlords receive missed back rent. Before that, she worked for Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf on her re-election campaign and managed the successful campaign of Shanell Williams forBoard of Trustees at City College of San Francisco. His biggest challenges as we go to press are housing, homelessness and mental health care, issues that have dominated the states discussions this year, so he has his work cut out for him. Put that in context how big a deal is that in a state that for decades has struggled to build enough housing? By clicking subscribe, you agree to theTerms. Please contact CalMatters with any commentary questions: commentary@calmatters.org. Those numbers don't yet account for Los Angeles County, said Jason Elliott, Newsom's deputy chief of staff and top advisor on housing and homelessness. And at that point, we were modeling a 56% attack rate for the virus, meaning that we expected 56% of Californians would get coronavirus at some point during the outbreak. But nowhere near the levels that I mentioned to you a moment ago we were fearing would come to pass. 2. No, of course not. With this $1.75 billion (the governor proposed spending $1.75 billion on homeless housing, including $750 million to continue Homekey) we want to create this momentum behind Homekey and not have it be a one-time thing. Project Roomkey was a public health emergency response to a once-in-a-century pandemic. So theres something about continuity that underpinned how we moved forward through those next few days. Gavin Newsom Age: 37 Born: New York City, but grew up in Palo Alto Current home: Sacramento Family: Lives with his wife and their 15-month-old. The state has struggled to get tenants and landlords to enroll in existing benefits. We won't use your email for any other purpose, and you can opt out at any time via an unsubscribe link. Jason Elliott, Newsom's top housing and homelessness advisor, said Monday that the administration expected some opposition to the proposal. So when you do all that math, youre looking at about 25,000 homeless people losing their lives from coronavirus. Newsom touted the CARE Court framework last month as an innovative strategy to guide an estimated 7,000 to 12,000 people into housing and much-needed treatment. Because CARE Court will harm Californians with disabilities, experiencing homelessness, and involved in the criminal legal system, we cannot support this proposal., Cynthia Castillo, a policy advocate for the Western Center on Law and Poverty, said Newsoms plan seems to be expanding the bureaucracy of homelessness services.. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $145,008. He also pledged swift action in the coming weeks to finalize the proposal and move it through the Legislature. The State Building and Construction Trades Council has pushed to include a requirement in housing bills that would force the new units to be built with union labor. And that was not its intention. Katie Talbot, spokesperson for Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood), said the idea would need to go through the policy committee process.. View Jason Elliott's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. Want to submit a guest commentary or reaction to an article we wrote? Dee Dee Myers, another . Has it protected 35,000 homeless Californians? With this $1.75 billion (the governor proposed spending $1.75 billion on homeless housing, including $750 million to continue Homekey) we want to create this momentum behind Homekey and not have it be a one-time thing. Elliott said he was watching with glee the Biden administrations $5 billion proposal as part of his infrastructure planto encourage local governments to end exclusionary zoningand other practices. She graduated from American University with a BA degree in literature with a minor in journalism. Newsom proposes plan to help homeless Californians with severe psychiatric, substance abuse and addiction issues get into housing and treatment. Elliott said he was watching with glee the Biden administrations $5 billion proposal as part of his infrastructure plan to encourage local governments to end exclusionary zoning and other practices. "California is responding to a crisis," tweeted Jason Elliott, Newsom's senior counselor for housing and homelessness. Gavin Newsoms proposal to compel people into court-ordered treatment for mental illness and addiction is a sense of urgency to solve a decades-old crisis festering on Californias streets even if it means building the plane as it flies. Gov. panel discussion hosted by Capitol Weekly, to encourage local governments to end exclusionary zoning, struggled to get tenants and landlords to enroll, $12 billion in the governors budget proposal, largely responsible for ballooning home prices. 4. Lets start with yes, unless theres a reason not to build.. And through really deliberative debate and discussion, we started to land on the idea of using hotels. YL 8u8JpC With the generous support of readers like you, Times of San Diego publishes timely and accurate news coverage for a better-informed community. Jason Elliott, Newsoms top housing advisor, said it is up to the legislative leaders to determine the mechanism for implementation, but requested urgency to codify the law by July 1. We knew that a proposal this consequential, a proposal that aims to change the status quo so deeply, wasnt going to be received unanimously, wasnt going to be received with everyone clapping and cheering, Elliott said. SonyaLogman, 30,of Antelope, has been appointedDeputy Cabinet Secretary. He also emphasized that just as important as passing new legislation is implementing laws already on the books. Pasadena to terminate local COVID-19 orders this month The governor also has political incentives to quickly install CARE Courts. Hironakahas most recently served as Deputy Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). We dont have a concrete number, but you could assume we produce as a state maybe between 2,000 and 5,000 units of permanent housing in any given year. hb````` Zoom chops nearly 200 jobs in Bay Area as tech layoffs mount View Jason Elliott's business profile as Senior Counselor On Housing at Newsom. They say that's because the state doesn't build housing in . Governor Newsom had previously announcedAna J.Matosantosas Cabinet Secretary,Jason Elliott as Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Executive Branch Operations, and Angie Wei as Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Policy Development. The second program,Homekey, created 6,000 units of long-term homeless housing in less than six months, by giving cities and counties the money to purchase hotels and other buildings, and expediting the permitting process. Los Angeles, Calmes: Heres what we should do about Marjorie Taylor Greene, David Lindley, guitarist best known for work with Jackson Browne, dies at 78, ICE detainees allege retaliation for speaking about medical conditions at Otay Mesa center, Downtown L.A stabbing sends six to hospital; suspect arrested, San Diego Roman Catholic diocese facing yet another lawsuit from its insurance company, K-Pop isnt the only hot ticket in Koreatown how trot is captivating immigrants, Los Angeles is suddenly awash in waterfalls. Learn more about how we use cookies in our cookie policy. LA County reports 14 COVID-related deaths, 1,300-plus cases on Friday From 2006 to 2010, she served four administrations in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. CARE Court is not the appropriate tool for providing a path to wellness for Californians living with mental health disabilities who face homelessness, incarceration, hospitalization, conservatorship, and premature death, the letter states. Newsom also attached accountability measures to the program, including sanctions for local governments that dont comply with program requirements and diverting people into stricter conservatorships or letting their paused criminal cases continue if they fail to meet their CARE plan obligations. He spearheaded two programs that together wound up being one of the states biggest feats during the unprecedented pandemic. This is not going to end homelessness, Kushel said. Gavin Newsom. But we can never let ourselves be stopped by feeling like were not making an impact. Contact. Its a part of the population that has been suffering and languishing for so long, many of whom have been on the streets for literally years and years and some decades and at great peril to themselves, Sherin said. Gavin Newsom unveiled a far-reaching effort to push more people into court-ordered treatment for severe mental illness and addiction, homeless advocates are calling it legally misguided and immoral as the proposals first public hearing at the state Capitol has been delayed. We are adding judges and attorneys into the mix in hopes of better connecting unhoused individuals with housing and medical care, but nothing else really changes, she said. And that can mean big vision things, and it also means the day-to-day of running a city. We, Yahoo, are part of the Yahoo family of brands. No cost estimate for the plan has been released, but Newsom has pledged to spend up to $14 billion on solutions to Californias homelessness crisis over the next several years. Gavin Newsom, Elliott serves as the governors top housing and homelessness adviser. Andrew Imparato, executive director of Disability Rights California, said his group was open to working with the administration and lawmakers on changes. Want to see more stories like this? Yes, it has. Gavin Newsom, Born: New York City, but grew up in Palo Alto, Family: Lives with his wife and their 15-month-old daughter, Prior job: Chief of staff to San Francisco Mayors Ed Lee and London Breed, and policy director for Newsom when he was mayor. Project Roomkey has sheltered more than 35,000 homeless Californians in hotels and motels throughout the state, giving people over 65 or with medical conditions a safer place to ride out the pandemic. Elliott said that while the state can build housing for people experiencing homelessness and the very poor, the private sector is essential to easing the housing shortage. The big takeaway: California is millions of housing units short, and cities hold the key. "Local government has a responsibility to put their hands up and be part of the solution," said Jason Elliott, Newsom's senior counselor on housing and homelessness. Our behavioral health system is stretched very thin.. Related Articles A: I will point you to the governors budget proposal: $1.75 billion. In LA they proposed more Homekey projects than we were able to fund. Local governments face sanctions if they do not comply with program requirements. . But getting a good read on his thinking can be difficult. CalMattersis a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how Californias state Capitol works and why it matters. Q: What percent of Project Roomkey clients have exited to permanent housing? Title: Senior Counselor to Gov. In high school and for part of college, Elliott dreamed of becoming a journalist. As COVID health emergency ends, LA County officials still urge caution Jason Elliott, Newsom's top housing advisor, said the governor's budget interlaces housing, cost-of-living and climate policies to simultaneously address California's top issues. What was the most difficult thing about navigating that? Sabelhauspreviously served as a Special Advisor on Appointments and Public Safety for Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. Elliott said that while the state can build housing for people experiencing homelessness and the very poor, the private sector is essential to easing the housing shortage. He served in several previous administrations, including as Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Deputy Legislative Secretary for Governor Gray Davis. The big takeaway: California is millions of. We worked 25 hours a day to design what eventually become Project Roomkey. Her stories focus on But the question is are we doing better than previous models? After announcing the broad framework of his CARE Court plan, the real work begins for Gov. That's how many homes the Legislature has mandated California cities to plan for by 2030, and Newsom's team is making sure they do. Healso worked for the California Air Resources Board(CARB)onlegislation relating climate. As senior counselor to Gov. The Bay Area has pulled together in a very interesting way and focused very much on prevention and stability, which is really good. Read More. Gavin Newsoms gubernatorial campaign. California Gov. Protect your nonprofit, nonpartisan state news. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. Health | Because for every person you bring inside, thats a person who has a sister whos worried about her. NettieSabelhaus, 71, of Sacramento,has been appointedSpecial Advisor on Public Safety. Workforce development for those skilled trades is going to be so essential.. Support for Capitol Weekly is Provided by: Jason Elliot. California's gas tax is 51.1 cents per gallon, the second highest in the nation. "x|.gpr9w5+9VD34[1d3 k=D.$Y+P&@H)1IPv&cN}`r=(s6hYp4r>]dV>:pvV5R"F-"0%4X=?>RYQ;:h]"{A'`MW;J Two Democrats have already introduced a bill that parallels the governors proposal. We couldnt control the outcome of the mayoral election, and my advice to staff and department heads was: Dont try to do that. Elliott has worked in government his whole career, and he met his wife in Gavin Newsoms administration, when Newsom was mayor of San Francisco. g 8 endstream endobj startxref 0 %%EOF 55 0 obj <>stream He is married to Nicole Elliott, director of the state Department of Cannabis Control. So, Im gonna miss the troubleshooting with departments and mayor staff. Between working on the states pandemic response seven days a week and raising a baby, theres very little time to do anything else.Related Articles Jason Elliott is the top housing adviser to Gov. Its not really realistic to assume were going to subsidize our way out of this, Elliott said. Getting cities and counties to say yes to housing is a long battle in California. Richard Figueroa, 60, of Sacramento,has been appointedDeputy Cabinet Secretary. Yes, it has. We vehemently oppose the proposal because it has this coercive court process implemented, and no right to housing, Castillo said. LZe$h#0m1Nx@,Z@XO"F"K"]w8|qWWhh\6^i And in this case, Homekey works. You just let it keep rolling. In response, Fowler agreed that California, like the rest of the country, faces a severe shortage of labor, union or otherwise. But with so many other cost drivers such as skyrocketing lumber prices wages arent the problem. Concerns about rising crime and the homelessness crisis emerged as the top issues driving voter dissatisfaction with Gov. We started with a lot of ideas. Getting cities and counties to say yes to housing is a long battle in California. To learn more about how we use your information, please read our privacy policy. Within hours, Lee died -- and Elliot had to step up to help keep the city running. Housing | The groups often have significant sway among liberal legislative Democrats, the kind of influence that could hinder Newsoms hopes for a new law to be in place by July 1. Opinion: Newsoms budget cuts threaten public health investment Logmanwas most recently the Deputy Secretary for Business and Consumer Relations atthe CaliforniaBusiness, Consumer Services and Housing Agency. I have sympathy for local leaders in Los Angeles and I have sympathy for the residents of Los Angeles because even sheltering as many people as they did through Project Roomkey, and providing as many new units as they did through Homekey, the order of magnitude of the challenge is so large in LA that it almost feels like you can never make progress. Elliott said that the governor remains committed to the principles of housing first and that CARE Court would be one of many ways a person could access shelter. Erin Mellon, Newsom's communications director, confirmed the moves to The Sacramento Bee. Help us grow with a monthly contribution. Senior Counselor On Housing at Newsom. We are using the states money to invest in one of the states top priorities homelessness. As senior counselor to Gov. Hebegan his careerat the State Capitolas a legislativeaide to State Senator FranPavley. 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Project Roomkey was a public health emergency response to a once-in-a-century pandemic. Some were practical and some were impossible. Gov. One idea: expanding motel conversions, an emergency plan during the pandemic. Is it the only thing we have to do to solve homelessness? Many affordable housing developers argue there just isnt the available workforce so that mandate would only increase the cost of construction. Which is why we need the private sector to do what it does, which is to build housing.. Stay up to date on the news you need to know. Senator Alan Cranston, research assistant for the International Union of Radio, Electric and Machine Operators, AFL-CIO, and research aide to the National Sharecroppers Fund. Health | We need people to enroll. 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And it was one of the hardest days and some of the hardest weeks of my life, and I hope will be the hardest weeks of my life. And in this case, Homekey works. As a result, the state has announced it will simplify the process to get more money out the door faster. And then the high risk factor you apply to that population. Lets start with yes, unless theres a reason not to build.. And the type of housing available is just as important as how much of it there is, said L.A. Family Housing President and CEO Stephanie Klasky-Gamer. And if the question is has it worked, I think unequivocally the answer is yes. Jason Elliott, Newsom's deputy chief of staff, runs point on homelessness for the governor. Which is why we need the private sector to do what it does, which is to build housing.. Elliott, a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School and Columbia University, has been with Newsom for years, working for him when Newsom was mayor of San Francisco and lieutenant governor. I think its going to disproportionately impact low-income communities, Black and brown communities, so making sure people use the benefit I think is key.. What have you been trying to pass on to the people who are now going to come after you? Clear out encampments, and at the same time connect people with housing and services. Q: What percent of Project Roomkey clients have exited to permanent housing? Logman is a Democrat. State Sen. Susan Eggman, a Stockton Democrat and one of the authors of Senate Bill 1338, said she was optimistic that CARE Court would initiate greater oversight in the mental health system and help those most in need through early interventions. But you dont practice for that. Newsom has proposed pausing that increase for one year, a move that would save drivers about $1.30 per month, according to Transportation California, a nonpartisan business and labor coalition. Have it become a fundamental part of addressing homelessness in California. He also emphasized that just as important as passing new legislation is implementing laws already on the books. 1. The governor said that CARE Court would focus on the most vulnerable Californians suffering from severe mental health conditions such as schizophrenia and individuals who have cycled in and out of hospitals and jails. I think everyone thinks this is the year to really get things done, she said. Those concerns are likely to be raised as Newsom continues to conduct roundtable discussions with stakeholders throughout the state. And making sure as the city was grieving, as we personally were grieving, that people getting up the next morning could go and get on Muni, and if they called 911 that the police would show up, and if they wanted to go to the park, that the park would be open. Newsom Alisa Hartz Brittiany Bearden Deputy Legal Affairs Kelli Evans Secretary Morgan Carvajal Luis Larios Special Assistant to Jay Jefferson Deputy Secretary & And that is great, but if you keep doing these interim housing solutions, you are not solving homelessness for them, you are hiding them.. Homekey was able to produce 6,000 units in six months, at a third of the cost, in about a fifth of the amount of time it typically takes. Marisa Kendall is a housing reporter for the Bay Area News Group who covers homelessness for The Mercury News and East Bay Times. During a panel discussion hosted by Capitol Weekly on Wednesday, Jason Elliott, Newsom's top advisor on housing and homelessness, provided a glimpse. "The whole. Gavin Newsom. We are not batting 1,000. AB 2830 was originally scheduled to be heard this week by the Assembly Judiciary Committee, but the hearing is now set for next week, similar to plans for its companion measure, Senate Bill 1338. Gavin Newsom's adviser on housing and homelessness, said that while the state can build housing for homeless people and the very poor, the private sector is essential to. Has it become a model for the rest of the country? Elliott has worked in government his whole career, and he met his wife in Gavin Newsoms administration, when Newsom was mayor of San Francisco. You can find our submission guidelines here. (Liz Hafalia / San Francisco Chronicle) By Liam Dillon Staff Writer Dec. 21, 2020 1:23 PM PT During his 2018 campaign for. Housing | Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters By CALmatters | the free daily newsletter about California politics from the editors of Capitol Weekly. The transcript below was edited for brevity and clarity: Marisa Lagos: You step into these huge shoes, and then about six months later Mayor Ed Lee suddenly dies in the middle of the night. Newsom calls for spending $12 billion more to end homelessness in California. Today, he announced: Jamie Callahan, 33, of Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Cabinet Secretary. But nowhere near the levels that I mentioned to you a moment ago we were fearing would come to pass. A: California struggles and has struggled for decades to provide adequate housing for people experiencing homelessness. Graham Knaus, executive director of the California State Assn. Mayors of some of the states most populous cities have endorsed the plan as a way to alleviate a humanitarian crisis in full display on their streets.